Moose May-nia

The Cook Public Library invites you to celebrate all things moose during the month of May.

Cook Public Library receives“The Great American Read” programming grantsfrom ALA and PBS

Grant will support library programs about Americans’ best-loved booksCook, MN — Cook Public Library will receive a grant from the American Library Association (ALA) and PBS to host programs around “The Great American Read,” an eight-part television series and multi-platform initiative that celebrates the joy of reading and the books we love.“This grant will allow us to host programs and events throughout the summer and purchase books for our collection,” said Cook Library Director Crystal Phillips.“We are honored to be the only library in Minnesota to receive this grant.”More than 220 public libraries applied for the $2,000 grants, which will support public programs around the series. Cook Public Library was one of just 50 libraries nationwide to be selected.

In addition to the grant money, Cook Public Library will receive a DVD collection of the series with public performance rights; a hardcover copy of the companion book, “The Great American Read: The Book of Books” by PBS (Black Dog & Leventhal, August 21, 2018); and other resources.

The libraries will also have the opportunity to host “sneak peek” screenings of the series premiere and five theme episodes before they broadcast to the public.

Premiering May 22, “The Great American Read” will engage audiences with a list of 100 diverse books, encouraging audiences to read the books, vote from the list of 100, and share their personal connections to the titles.

The two-hour launch episode will kick off a summer of reading and voting. In fall 2018, seven new episodes will air, featuring appearances by celebrities, athletes, experts, authors and everyday Americans advocating for their favorite book, culminating with a finale that reveals America’s best-loved novel as chosen by the American public.

Cooking on the Oxcart Trail with Jan Smith

Thursday, May 176:00 p.m.Cook Public Library

Jan Smith is a sought-after storyteller, educating audiences about early American land settlement and Nordic life.

Listen to Jan detail the difficulties of travel for the oxcarts, wagons, and people through Kansas, Minnesota and the Dakota Territories. The story includes frontier recipes and remedies, prepared over campfires or using camp ovens in rudimentary settings.

This project was funded in part or in whole by a grant from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.